Is my dog being protective or aggressive?

Question

I have a mutt, I believe him to have border collie, husky and some other stuff in him. He is a huge nerd, (my favorite kind of dog), He is very sweet, loving and friendly. I can take him anywhere, he's always the 'main dog' at the dog park. He gets along with all the dogs and the people there, when I walk him, he's friendly with the people out. But at home... Elroy is quite the 'bodygaurd', over time he has gotten more 'protective' towards people coming over. At first it was just strangers, but lately it's been to just about everybody who doesn't live here, except kids. I want him to continue to protect and alert me when somebody comes over, but aggressive barking at my mom is just uncalled for! He is an outdoor dog and I think he's about 6 or 7 years old, we've had him for 4 years. I do think he was abused prior to us getting him, he is much more aggressive towards men, it even took him a while to warm up to my husband. Like I said, it's only at home, he's like this.

He is fixed. And I forgot to mention, he only does it with me. If my husband is home, he'll stop. I put him through "dog school" when I got him, he listens well. I do think he's just being protective and I did have my mom give him a treat. I just can't tell the difference I guess, I've always had scardy-cat dogs. And yes I do live in a warm area for all those who think I'm being cruel for having him outside. We have another dog out with him to keep him company and they have a huge custom built doghouse. If it gets really cold, we bring them inside so it's not mean.

Answer 1

I think he is just bieng protective over his area. My dog is the same way. does he bark aggresively,but when he realizes its a friend or someone you have over and he sees its ok, then that would be more protecteve. but if he continues being agressive over all people then hes more an attitude and him changing over the years. But it also has to do with the people. Animals sense other people. My dog has known this one guy since he was a puppy, and he still barks at him and looks unsure whenever around him. Im sure its just him changing and not a problem.

Answer 2

Wow, I actually laughed when I read this. I own 2 Borders, my female protects me when Im in bed, even people within relations to family (my other dogs) cannot get on the bed unless I call her. Your Border is protective, and from most Borders I have known to be outside dogs (mine are inside/outside, inside and go outside as they please with the dog door always open) will be more protective of their property. When they're outside they really don't have much to do, you could supply them with everything your budget could afford but being outside does not compare with being inside. I was reluctant to answer this because my neighbours owned a GSP who was too high energy for them, they kept her outside and since then Ive never really believed in outdoor dogs. However, in your case you seem to be at more of a misunderstanding rather than ignorance. Outdoor dogs will be more protective of the property, they have nothing to do, as I stated before, so if someone comes near their property, they will claim it and in all technicality say 'No, this is my property. What are you doing here, get away!'. You put any high energy dog outside and turn them into an outdoor dog this will more than likely occur. I cannot tell you to resolve this without your cooperation of bringing the dog inside and installing a dog door or understanding when he has to go the bathroom. If you bring the dog inside then he may calm down a bit, more involved in the family and seeing how many people come in and out of the house. Itd take a bit of effort, but the rewards outweigh the negative. If your husband is not up to bringing the dog inside, then I would either suggest convincing him to bring the border mix in or not having it at all. He needs to be associated with the house to understand that other people exist.

Answer 3

Hmmm sounds like he is getting a tad bit "over protective". When people come over and he starts up, tell him "no" in a very firm voice, and put him in a crate, outside, or in a diff room where he cant see you. He needs to learn that this behaviour is very inappropriate, hes not just being protective, hes being territorial. This is a good and bad thing. Dogs are smart, they know when theres a threat and when they should stand guard but it seems like your pooch has gone a lil overboard with it. Be consistant with him when training him that acting like a wild animal when company comes over is unexceptable and will not be tolerated.
Make sure when company comes over, at first they talk in low voices to prevent the dog from getting excited or confused.

Oh what we use with our dogs before putting them away from the company is threats with the muzzle, THEY HATE IT! And usually they will hush right down as soon as i say "you want the muzzle" as im showing it to them . So try that first.

Answer 4

He is being protective. Border Collies are sheep dogs. They are bred to protect the flock from outsiders.(those not in the flock). Might have to start putting him outside when company comes over.
Had Collie who would do that when Dad wasn't home. It just Mom and me at home. When dad was there she wouldn't do that; friendly as she could be. But with Dad not there same person (adults only she didn't bother kids) she'd want to eat them up.

Answer 5

I easily have a 2 twelve months previous male German Shepherd named Elvis. Elvis is an aggressive canines, in comparison to my extra passive boxer. aggressive meaning extra forward, no longer vicious. Elvis is amazingly shielding/aggressive in his very own backyard yet as quickly as you're taking him out of his territory he turns into passive. (working from people, tail between the legs, and so on.) Now I do have a girl German Shepherd it relatively is often aggressive. She has killed various cats, squirrels, birds, possums or perhaps tried to kill my pitbull thrice (My pitty Mae has a clean mommy so Priscilla won't be able to harm her anymore). She is amazingly friendly with people yet consistently assertive and forceful.

Answer 6

He is being protective but you must stop the aggression towards other people before he bites. Praise him for alerting but discourage any aggression he shows. He must be taught the difference between guardian and aggressor. You might check in with an obedience trainer on this.

Answer 7

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/J27jk

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 8

If it's only at home he's being protective of his territory. Barking is natural, even at people he knows but is that all he's doing? Maybe his bark is worse than his bite. What is his body language telling you? Is his tail wagging or his body rigid and his hair standing on his back? If you think he's posing a bite risk you should be concerned and intent on getting it fixed.

Answer 9

Just make sure that your friends and family are nice to him. They should try giving him treats when they come over, and maybe he will start to like them more.

I hope you live in a warm area because dogs should not have to live outside.

Answer 10

It sounds like he is being protective of you because he trusts you. But the protective nature he is displaying could become aggression very easily without training.